Rent-free plan in a bid to save markets

Market traders in Sandwell could be offered up to a year's free rent under radical proposals to jump start the borough's economy.

Councillor Mahboob Hussain has asked council officers to draw up proposals to save the flagging markets. He said he also wanted to see regular road closures for one-day markets to be held in Oldbury, Blackheath, Smethwick and Wednesbury. "This will be a pilot for 12 months and I am hopeful of having something that we can put into place from October," he said.

"I have asked for a report to be drawn up for August with a list of options, said Councillor Hussain, Sandwell's neighbourhoods chief .

"I want to be able to offer markets rent free for six months or 12 months if a business can bring lots of stalls into the towns.

"We could see temporary markets, such as visiting French or German markets, which will bring people into the towns.

"I want markets where people want to come in. It is not about making money, it is about providing a facility for local people to shop in their home towns."

Sandwell Council paid private consultancy group Quarterbridge £17,000 to come up with a master plan to turn around the fortunes of the borough's market traders. The publishing of the results of the six-month investigation have been put off while the council examines the findings.

Councillor Hussain said the report will be incorporated into the work that he has commissioned to be published in August.

Indoor and outdoor stalls across the borough have suffered from falling customer numbers in recent years and the firm was asked for ideas regarding the best way to boost customer numbers.

Currently stalls across the borough's main markets are packing up early, with rows of pitches being left empty on some market days.

Sandwell Council has already introduced a reduced £5 charge for traders at Wednesbury market during weekends, in a move which could eventually be rolled out across the borough.